Multi-instrumentalist Paul Whitley learned to play drums with 8 years. With 16 years he started playing piano, before he finally chose bass and guitar to his favorite instruments.

Those around in the 1970s might recall a disco song called “The Sound of Philadelphia,” which was the theme for television series, Soul Train. Saxophonist/composer Neil Leonard calls Marcel’s Window (GASP Records, 2011) the “sound of Philly in the 21st century.”
 

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Kirk Whalum’s saxophone sound is one of the cornerstones of contemporary jazz. He’s collaborated with many artists and has made his mark in the worlds of gospel, jazz and R&B. I just learned that he is President/CEO of the STAX Music Academy and the STAX Museum of American Soul Music. For that alone, he’s ‘the man’ in my eyes.

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American beauty Nicole Henry recently pleased the audience with her new album Embraceable (2011), an impressive artistic statement of an astonishing vocal talent. Her album Set for the Season: Live in Japan (2010) was recorded live at the Cotton Club in Tokyo in December 2009.
 

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